Joystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/you-shall-use-this-season-pass-for-shadow-of-mordor-add-ons/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/you-shall-use-this-season-pass-for-shadow-of-mordor-add-ons/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/you-shall-use-this-season-pass-for-shadow-of-mordor-add-ons/#commentsMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is getting the season pass treatment, giving players bonus content when the game launches on September 30. Season pass holders will receive the exclusive Guardians of the Flaming Eye Orc Warband mission, early access to the Trials of War series of challenges and two story missions: Lord of the Hunt and The Bright Lord. Additionally, those that opt-in to the season pass program will be guaranteed access to future add-on content like runes and skins.

Monolith's adventure based in the Tolkien-o-verse was previously expected to launch on October 7 before Warner Bros. moved the game's launch up last month to late September (October 3 in the UK). The publisher did not offer a price for the season pass, though it's not the only method of obtaining extra goodies for Shadow of Mordor; PS4 owners that pre-order the game will receive exclusive "PlayStation Legion Missions."Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is in development for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onbonus-contentDLCextrasjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringsmicrosoftmiddle-earth-shadow-of-mordorMonolith-Productionspcplaystationps3ps4season-passshadow-of-mordorWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIExboxxbox-oneMon, 18 Aug 2014 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/16/overheard-gamescom-fly-you-fool/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/16/overheard-gamescom-fly-you-fool/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/16/overheard-gamescom-fly-you-fool/#commentsMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor isn't canon, but developer Monolith intends to respect JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series as the game borrows the books' characters, settings and lore - and some of their famous lines.

In a demo at Gamescom, Designer Michael De Plater showed off a scene where Talion, a ranger who exists between the living and spirit worlds, finds himself facing a giant, angry Graug in a dark cave. Powerful as he is, Talion can't face the beast alone yet, so his only recourse is to run. Talion's ghostly guide, the elven ringsmith Celebrimbor, offers the following piece of advice: "Fly, you fool!"

This mirrors the last thing that Gandalf the Grey says to Frodo and his companions in the Mines of Moria near the end of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The line was brought to more public fame in the 2001 film, and it plays an important role in speculation concerning the eagle plot hole in the series. Also concerning hobbits.

While Red Dead Redemption writer Christian Cantamessa and BioShock Infinite voice actor Troy Baker discuss how Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is both an original tale and faithful to J.R.R. Tolkien's immense canon, a familiar, gangly, wide-eyed figure peers into the camera like a paranoid bushbaby.

Welcome to Barely Related, a conversational Friday column that presents the non-gaming news stories that we, the Joystiq staff, have been talking about over the past week. And no, we're not stopping our focus on industry and gaming news. Think of this as your casual weekly recap of interesting (and mostly geeky) news, presented just in time to fill your brain with things to discuss at all of those weekend shindigs.

Grab a fresh drink, lean back in your armchair, and get ready to talk nerdy with us.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barely-relatedbatman-v-supermanfbigame-of-thronesguardians-of-the-galaxyharry-potterjrr-tolkienStar-WarsFri, 23 May 2014 20:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/11/12/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-takes-the-tolkien-universe-to-nex/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/11/12/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-takes-the-tolkien-universe-to-nex/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/11/12/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-takes-the-tolkien-universe-to-nex/#commentsMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a new third-person action game in development by Monolith Productions, publisher Warner Bros. announced today. As the title indicates, the game is placed in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings universe, and has players assuming the guise of the "valiant ranger" Talion. Both Talion and his family are killed by series baddie Sauron, leading to Talion's resurrection by a rather vengeful spirit that grants him Wraith-like supernatural abilities.

Warner Bros. boasted a "dynamic world" in the game that is expected to remember and adapt to players' choices as well as "craft their own battles, enemies and rewards." While no release date was given for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, the game will arrive on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 and PC.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionannouncementjrr-tolkienmicrosoftmiddle-earthmiddle-earth-shadow-of-mordorMonolithMonolith-Productionsnext-genpcplaystationps3ps4saurontolkienWarner-BrosWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIExboxxbox-oneTue, 12 Nov 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/the-hobbit-makes-unexpected-journey-to-browsers-mobile-in-armie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/the-hobbit-makes-unexpected-journey-to-browsers-mobile-in-armie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/the-hobbit-makes-unexpected-journey-to-browsers-mobile-in-armie/#commentsKabam has launched a new free-to-play browser tie-in, called The Hobbit: Armies of the Third Age, in which players build strongholds and wage war.

Three factions - Orcs, Elves and Dwarves - are in the game, which is playable on a PC web browser or through a free app on both iOS and Android. Popular figures from the Tolkien universe like Legolas and Thorin can be seen taking the field, though we suggest maybe fighting far away from them. If you've seen either dude throw down in their respective movies, then you just know their prowess is only gonna make you look bad on the battlefield.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidarmies-of-the-third-ageiosipadiphonejrr-tolkienkabamlegolasmobilepcthe-hobbitthe-hobbit-armies-of-the-third-agethorinthorin-oakenshieldwarner-brosThu, 21 Mar 2013 21:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/joyswag-the-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-themed-jrr-tolk/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/joyswag-the-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-themed-jrr-tolk/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/joyswag-the-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-themed-jrr-tolk/#comments
Did you know today was Lord of the Rings scribe JRR Tolkien's birthday? If you did, you probably also know that fans of "The Professor" toast his birth at 9pm your local time. It's true! Read all about it here on the Tolkien Society's website. To celebrate the occasion (oh, and we guess to promote the upcoming Lord of the Rings: War in the North video game), Warner Bros. sent over the above kit, replete with L-sized shirt, sparkling cider and three shot glasses that would look at home in the land of Middle Earth.

Since we don't keep this stuff (and everyone on staff is allergic to non-alcoholic beverages) we're going to send this to one of you. Obviously, you won't get it in time to toast The Professor, but something tells us he won't mind if you're a few days late. Find out what you've got to do after the break and, if you're reading this at 9pm your time, a toast: to The Professor!